Author Note

Hello there and welcome to the final chapter of Shadow Spear. I will answer now the reviews from last chapter.

josephvillena44 - For now, I don't know. I will devote to my Naruto stories and Avalon Bond for the time being. Who knows...in the future.

Spehain - Ilya had a role in Heaven's Feel. To be the one to close the gateway of the Greater Grail. But that was one of the possible endings of HF. In one ending, which I happpened to choose, Shirou destroys the Grail by projecting Excalibur. Only in this story, it's the actual Saber who uses the Excalibur to destroy the Grail. Ilya was there to fulfil her role, but Shirou had ohter ideas, then seeing his sister sacrifice herself needlessly.

Spiderwitch2211 - THat would be cool, indeed. Imagine Scathach from this story apearing in America singularity in Avalon Bond, knowing a different Shirou from another universe. I have a similar idea in mind for Avalon Bond regarding Merlin, though.

And now, on to the last chapter.

Fate Shadow Spear

Chapter 24 – Epilogue

Beta: Alex Emiya

Two months have passed since the end of the Fifth Grail War and things went back to normal…so to speak.

As everyone in Sakura's adopted family was now dead, she had inherited everything. The house, the land, the gigantic knowledge gathered by the Makiri family. Though, her decision was quite simple, in the end.

The library was donated to the Tohsaka family to do whatever it is that Rin wished.

The house was torn down by a combined effort of both Shirou and Saber. Seeing her senpai using his flame mage craft to burn the basement of the house had a profound impact in Sakura's recovery. She became delighted at the prospect of hearing those filthy and grotesque insects screaming in pain as their flesh was slowly being consumed by the never-ending flames of Shirou's spear.

Once the house was taken care of, the land of the Matou was then purged clean by Rin's spells, before Sakura sold the land to the city, with the sole purpose of it serving as either a future hospital or a nice park…anything that wiped the bad history clean. Of course, the bad history would never go away in her mind…the amount of torture she endured…but at least now she was able to replace those bad memories with good ones, living together with senpai. While the feeling of love and adoration for him was forever present, Sakura had gotten used to the fact that his heart lied elsewhere. Come to think about matters of the heart, it turned that her own heart got room for another love in her life.

Ever since the end of the war, Sakura and her servant Rider has been together and Sakura had found how much she cares about her and the feeling was indeed mutual.

Medusa has been living in the house and even had a room of her own, where she would do nothing but read piles and piles of books that Sakura had purchased for her.

It was such a peaceful scene of seeing the long purple haired woman so caught up in a nice story, wearing blue jeans, a black sweater and a pair of glasses that protected everyone from her eyes.

One Emiya Shirou had even accommodated two others to his mansion.

Well, Saber was already a given, considering their relationship, but Ilya was a surprise. The little girl had pouted for weeks after the war at Shirou for his little stunt with her, keeping her from fulfilling her duty. But then, she quieted down somewhat and learned to cope with the fact that her duty was done in the end, even if not by her actions.

So, she got to live together with her brother and Saber as well, who was like a sister to her, considering that Saber was her papa and mama's servant in the last war. As such, the two were regularly seen together, accompanying Shirou on buying groceries and even waiting for him and the others when they left for school and came back. The King of Knights remembered Irisviel every time she saw the huge smile on Ilyasviel as she played with Shirou and the others.

To believe that two months ago, Arturia Pendragon was prepared to abandon all this in favor of fulfilling her duty as Shirou's servant.

Being with Shirou brought completion to her.

The unity of their bond felt whole once more, like when she received Excalibur sheathed by Avalon from the Lady of the Lake a long time ago. Being Shirou's familiar, she at first thought that she would hold him down. Back then, she was also being fueled by the Grail, so the load from her master wasn't big. However, she later learned that with the ancient runes and the spiritual bond with Archer, Shirou had more than enough to sustain her. Of course, Arturia wouldn't be able to use her noble phantasm as she used to anymore, but that was the only limit to her skills.

In their daily spars, it was evident that the King of Knights had plenty of juice to burn.

That was also other means of replenishing her energy as their sessions, usually after practice and in the hidden confines of the runes protected dojo, were quite constant. Well, neither she nor the Saber Alter in her could much control herself after a heated spar and seeing Shirou all sweaty, without his shirt and grunting in exertion, made her now covered perverted mind go nuts.

Tohsaka Rin, for her part, had her own room in the Emiya manor.

Of course, with all her loved ones in one place, it was tough to go to an empty house all by herself. She and Sakura had taken this time to somehow make up for the eleven years of Sakura's suffering. And though Rin had trouble sometimes in showing vulnerability and emotions, Shirou was always there to help her and Sakura slowly opened up to her sister, until the point that the sisterly bond kicked in. Nowadays, the Tohsaka sisters would be seen almost constantly together, hanging out with their friends from school.

Today, Shirou had woken up early like he always do and was seen preparing breakfast for the family. The kitchen light was off as the sun was slowly but surely illuminating the house, making it quite a soothing atmosphere.

The owner of the manor had a routine planned for making everyone's breakfast. Usually, Sakura helped him, but his sister figure was heavily asleep after one of her mana release sessions with Rider.

Despite the war ending, Sakura was still the lesser grail, so she needed to release the amount of prana she gathers, which is how she can maintain Rider after the war.

So, following the routine he planned, Shirou has followed through, as he eyed the seven eggs being cooked…

Seven…eggs

The slip-up was then followed by the shaking of his shoulder and the tears that fell from his eyes at the memory of his teacher.

He knew that it would come eventually after the war, but part of him truly wished that it didn't have to happen. But, she was adamant about getting that from him, in the end.

===Flashback===

After a gruesome battle, a bloodied and almost without clothes Emiya Shirou embraced the already dying Scathach on the ground. The fatal wound from Gae Bolg was already spreading its curse throughout her body. In any normal fight, she would be able to heal, but facing Shirou added by the healing powers of Avalon, she had to use everything in her power to beat him, but it wasn't enough as he would get up every time. Still, it was a fight to the death that craved for most in this world and her student had provided that for her in spades.

Still, as the heavy rain bombarded the area, Scathach had to smile as she looked up to her student's face, with his hair falling down his forehead, covering his eyes.

"…Please save those tears, Shirou. We both knew that this day would come, right?" Her trembling hands then reached for his face, as the Irish lancer fondly caressed his cheeks. "I truly thank the heavens that that little boy got into my life." Scathach then used her last strength and lifted her face to land a surprising kiss on his lips.

The apprehensive audience was just as surprised at the action, though Saber and Sakura knew that the strong woman held feelings for Shirou.

His eyes burned from the tears as Shirou looked at the peaceful smile from his sensei.

"I had closed my heart a long time ago, you know, but you managed to open it….Your tenacity in never giving up…your drive in our training…your heart shining your virtues and your valor…I lived for a long time in the dark, Shirou, but your light had easily breached my darkness. Oh, don't mind this silly old woman before you…I know to whom your heart belongs. This kiss is my appreciation for everything we went through together and for you finally allowing me to rest, Shirou." Once again, she caressed his face, for her now final words. "Oh and please don't be in such a hurry to meet me in the afterlife, you have a family to look out for, now."

Her eyes then closed for good, but her peaceful smile remained forever attached to his memory.

===End flashback===

This wasn't the first time he had made the mistake of counting her on the table and every time he remembered of what happened.

Still, Shirou would be forever grateful for having her in his life.

Slowly, the kitchen became filled with the women in his life, beginning with Arturia carrying Tsuki in her arms. The cat that Shirou saved back then had literally glued to the King of Knights and it was hard not to see them togehter.

Then Ilya and Rider together with Sakura.

Rin had arrived together with Taiga and Shirou managed to hide it well that the seventh egg was for her, but his partner knew about what happened. The King of Knights managed to console her lover after the end of Shirou's fight against Scathach. And she knew that it would still take some time for him to get over what happened. Still, Arturia Pendragon has developed nothing but full respect for the Irish legend. Above all else, she was the one responsible for her lover's growth up until the man that he became today.

===Six months later===

Six months after the war and Rin had confided with Shirou and Saber that the Clock Tower was calling her personally. Right now, they were in a café in Shinto, discussing some aspects of their future after school.

She had already informed everyone that she would be attending the Clock Tower soon to continue her magi studies. Now, this summons letter came and she wondered just whom amongst the lords were actually gunning for her.

To the Tohsaka heir, this pressure came as no surprise, considering her family's long time tradition to oversee this land. The pressure doubled ever since it became known that the member of the Church that oversaw the war perished. Rin knew that the stupid priest kept both the Church and the Clock Tower aware of what was going on throughout the war and with him gone, the Clock Tower was at a loss of what precisely happened with the Greater Grail. One thing they knew, however, was that the Holy Grail War did not proceed as it was supposed to, so naturally they would point fingers at the one responsible for the land.

Her contact in the Clock Tower, one Mr. Waver Velvet, was adamant in his last letter that Rin was to go to London at once and relate what happened to the Lords.

However, she knew that by going, she would be walking to a trap. Nevertheless, it was her family's responsibility, hence she was obliged to attend. Failure to comply would force the Clock Tower to come to Fuyuki themselves and Rin couldn't allow that to happen. One specific reason was that she wouldn't know who they would send and dealing with magi from the Clock Tower just wasn't on her to do list. Who knows what would happen if they found out about Sakura or even Shirou, despite the redhead showing time and time again that he could deal with most threats.

"We're coming with you, Rin." Shirou couldn't help but smile at the spark in Arturia's eyes as she practically volunteered to be Rin's entourage to this meeting.

Protecting Rin was indeed one of her reasons, but the possibility of seeing firsthand what became of her country was too much an opportunity to pass on and both Shirou and Rin knew that much.

"Oh Saber, I'm quite touched that you care about my well-being…" Rin's coy smile was ignored by the enthused nod from the King of Knights.

"Sure, you and Shirou can tag along, but I have my doubts about you two walking inside the Clock Tower." The couple then looked at the sudden serious look from the elder Tohsaka. "The second you two step inside the Clock Tower, you two will be at risk. They will know that a servant still lingers despite the war end and that's a big no no for us. You, Shirou, right now is perhaps the World's last user of Primordial Runes, not to mention your skill at Projection and your alignment with origin and element…and don't get me started with the fact that you have an ancient relic inside of you…pretty much everything about you spells sealing designation, for sure."

The redhead understood that, unfortunately.

"Well, ok we can't go with you to the Clock Tower, but we can still be in London, in case you need any help." Rin snorted at that, though.

"Please, who do you think you're talking to, you dolt. It's not like I'm defenseless. Plus, me getting openly attacked would be the least of my worries and I trust that will suffice to explain how vile that place truly is."

"Can't Ilyasviel come along as well, Rin…with the Einzbern there, you can have leverage in whatever they attempt to do to you." Rin truly considered asking that brat Ilya for this just like Arturia recommended.

"That would be quite the help, indeed, Saber, but she does not speak for the Einzbern…at least not yet, anyhow." Ilya was scheduled to return to Germany with the newly reformed Sella and Leysritt. Before coming to Japan to become a master, she was led to believe in a great number of lies by the family's eighth head, Jubstacheit, mainly about Kiritsugu's actions and the fact that they tried to brainwash her with lies about Shirou. As such, the members of the Emiya manor knew just what Ilya plans on doing once she arrives at her family's castle.

So, with their planning sorted out, it was time to pack their bags and head for the airport. Sakura and Rider would remain in Fuyuki taking care of the land in Rin's absence.

Once in the land of the British, Rin had begrudgingly accepted the invitation of her family's nemesis in London for a small flat for both her, Shirou and Saber to live throughout their stay. Aside from attending this judgement, Rin had chosen to remain in London afterward, so Shirou and Arturia would be there for a while as well, enjoying the sights and getting to know the Country. So, after everything was set, Rin went to the Clock Tower, while Shirou and Arturia had decided to get lost in the city, so to speak.

The blonde girl's eyes were literally shining as the couple hopped on a double-deck tour bus. Shirou could only smile as he got to see the exuberant spak in her eyes at every monument Arturia saw. To the other tourists on the bus, they were just a happy couple, none the wiser as to her true identity.

At the end of the day, Shirou had come forward with an idea of stopping by a local market near their flat, so that they could surprise Rin when she came back from her meeting.

Of course, Arturia's stomach very much approved of the idea.

When an exhausted Rin opened the door to their flat and immediately removed her shoes, the heavenly smell of Shirou's cooking reached her nostrils and it brought a smile to her to realize that she could count on her friends. Once she arrived at the kitchen, Shirou was working his magic while the King of Knights was sitting on the table, watching him as both appeared to be in the midst of a conversation about the Westminster Abby and how the church design reminded Saber of the churches in Camelot.

"Oh hello there, Tohsaka. Please sit down, dinner is almost ready. How was it?"

Rin did just that and with a relaxing sigh, she took a seat next to Arturia and accepted a nice relaxing Earl Grey Tea that Arturia was drinking.

The exuberant glutton King of Knights was practically in heaven when they were in the local market with all the free samples of the local foods and beverages.

"At the beginning, it was quite awful…none of the lords there wanted to hear me out. They all bombarded me with accusations of inadequacy in the outcome of the War. Even after I stated that the Greater Grail was destroyed by one of the servants…which was our combined story, they weren't thrilled with it. However, in the end, my hide was saved by none other than Zelretch himself…" Both Arturia and Shirou turned abruptly at the mention of the True Ancestor.

"He was there…the very own creator of the Greater Grail?" Rin nodded and took a sip of her tea, before visibly turning on the tsundere mode.

"Yeah, that bastard!…I bet that he waited until the last minute to come and vouch for my innocence. It was his own fault for heaven's sake…well, not all of it, cause my own predecessor allowed it, but still."

"Well, I'm glad that nothing happened to you, Tohsaka…" Rin, though, looked accusingly at Shirou.

"You have placed a rune on me, didn't you?" Shiro would've flinched at the accusation and at her glare, but it's not like he had regretted doing it.

"Of course, I did. We came here for this reason, didn't we?" At the end of the day, Rin sighed and smiled at her best friend.

"Just out of curiosity, what rune did you use?" The ancient rune user then turned to complete his cooking, while Arturia just observed their interaction.

"A shield rune…drawn on your right wrist. It would create a bounded field the second it perceived any sort of threat on you, including curse spells." Now, Rin remembered that during an interval, that good for nothing Luvia Edelfelt attempted to catch her by surprise and Rin had reacted in time, but she did wonder that Luvia's hand was somehow redirected, before Rin could use her own magical circuits to block Luvia's attack.

"Well, not that I needed it, but I appreciate the concern, Emiya-kun…now, how about you two…what did you do all day and please spare me the details of any cuddling activities, before I arrived." Saber did manage to blush at that, since Rin would occasionally catch them on the act, once or twice. Aside from that, the exuberant King Arthur told her everything about their tour all around London, while Rin just smiled, pretty much forgetting about the troubles of today.

===Two years later===

Tohsaka Rin has decided to stay in London for her studies, while Shirou and Arturia went on a long trip around the countries of the United Kingdom. They had met many places in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Shirou had found many of his sensei's legends in Ireland, which brought back some nice memories of their time together. Even references of Cu Chullian and Diarmuid were easier to access in the country's libraries. Arturia had told Shirou many of her adventures in partnership with the Fourth War's Lancer as well as the shame she felt upon knowing the method in which Kiritsugu use to deal with Diarmuid. It was perhaps the time when Arturia felt most disgusted with Shirou's adopted father.

Aside from that bad memory, Arturia could see many references to her old Kingdom in pretty much everywhere they went.

Two places in particular that brought both sadness and laughter for the master familiar couple.

When they went to Glastonbury to meet the supposed place where King Arthur was buried, the King of Knights had spent a few hours just staring at the plaque in her memory. The area itself was familiar, though she couldn't tell if that was the place where the Battle of Camlann happened and where she gave Sir Bedivere the order to return the sword back to the Lady of the Lake. The laughter part came when they heard of a statue made in memory of King Arthur located in an island called Tintagel Castle. The laughter came from Shirou as they saw the statue representing the 'image' of King Arthur…a long bearded old man covered by a hooded cape, hoding a sword upside down. The King of Knights couldn't be more mortified that for some reason, this was perceived as her image.

Still, the island itself was believed to hold many 'Arturian' links to her past and Arturia liked to believe that this place was where a little girl lived with her adopted family many years ago.

After that, Arturia and Shirou had dropped by in Germany to visit Ilya, who had decided to remain there as she now became the family's head. A homunculus she may be, but with the house's leylines and access to her family's treasury, Ilya realized that she could outlive the normal life expectancy. Problem was that she could never leave, so Shirou and Arturia promised to visit every chance they got as Shirou was officially considered an ally of the Einzbern family as well as the Tohsaka and the Matou.

After the trip, Shirou and Arturia had returned to Fuyuki as they went to Sakura's graduation ceremony. Rin came back too for that reason and then returned to London, soon afterward.

Two years thus passed after the war and everything was peaceful in the Emiya manor. A long purple haired Matou Sakura was seen in the house's kitchen, preparing food for their academy reunion in the park today. Her sister was due to arrive anytime now, while senpai and Saber had left to run a quick errand. Rider then walked inside the house's kitchen and announced that Rin has arrived, earning a nod from her master/lover.

"Has Senpai and Saber arrived yet, Rider?" The servant nodded with a smile as she approached the kitchen to help Sakura finish everything.

"I can sense Saber's presence nearby…they should arrive any minute now."

"That's good…I wouldn't want us to get late. Senpai did promise, after all."

After everything was done and ready, everyone had met outside the door, with Taiga as well. Rin's hair was just as long as Sakura's as she wore a short black skirt and a detailed red shirt. Sakura's outfit consisted of a long white dress covered by a black blouse. Shirou wore his black trousers and a long white shirt and the King of Knights had decided to release her long blond hair this time and wore a long blue skirt followed by a white shirt covered by a nice blue dress with short sleeves and with golden flowers drawn.

Shirou and Saber were talking with Taiga and Rider, while Sakura just observed her family, the family that loves her, the family that she has chosen.

Then, Taiga had insisted that they made a move on, to which Shirou complained. Sakura then walked to follow them, when Rin stopped her.

"Hey…are you happy, Sakura?" The only living Matou looked at her sister as the wind gently swayed her beautiful long blue hair. Rin's expression didn't betray much as she had simply observed her little sister.

Rin had only relaxed when she saw Sakura looking down bearing the sweetest smile she ever remembered seeing. When Sakura looked up, Rin realized that she had nothing to worry about.

"Yes! I am Nee-san."

Half an hour after walking, Sakura was looking down when one Sakura petal flew over her shoulder. When she looked up, Sakura's eyes widened at the beautifully majestic sight of the Sakura trees. She was alone for a while as Rin went to meet her friends from school, while Arturia joined with Ayako Misuruzi. The two had become good friends as Ayako wanted to meet Shirou's girlfriend from abroad. Taiga had approached Issei and Ayako's younger brother to help with the preparations. Rider just observed with a smile as Shirou arrived near Sakura as both observed the Sakura trees.

"Senpai…" She then looked up to see Shirou smiling at her.

"Ready, Sakura?" The Matou heir then looked at his smile and nodded as the two slowly walked towards the Sakura trees, just like he promised to do in the war.

Behind them, Saber, Rin and Rider lined up next to Sakura and Shirou. It painted a lovely picture of the survivors' back with Rider next to Sakura, Rin in between Sakura and Shirou and Arturia next to Shirou.

The gentle breeze made the women's hair swirl gently as everyone breathed the soothing scent of the Sakura trees and enjoyed this beautiful day together.

Author Note

I'd like to say it was a blast to write this story and I thank everyone for your support, especially my beta for reviewing my work.

It actually took me some time to choose whether or not Shirou and Scathach would fight, after the war. I had some choices to make…either not have the fight at all or have the fight and Shirou misses the final blow, just like Cu Chullain did in Fate Grand Order. But, that would have been a disservice to the character. It was her desire to find someone that would finally kill her. Someone who would finally allow her to rest in peace. For someone who has lived as long as she had, it was logical to assume that she wouldn't wish to remain on living.

Once more, I appreciate everyone's support and for those who wished for a sequel, first I wished to carry on some of the Naruto stories I abandoned in the past.

After that, who knows, perhaps I choose either this one or Sword and Arrow to make a sequel….or both. Who knows.

For now, I'll focus on writing two Naruto stories and Avalon Bond, my third Fate story.

See ya.